What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Root Extract
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSophora Flavescens Root Extract
AntioxidantHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Betaine, Arbutin, Trehalose, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Panthenol, Adansonia Digitata Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolThis extract comes from the Cabbage Palm, AKA the Açaà berry! It has skin soothing and antioxidant properties.
Acai berries are rich in antioxidants, including ferulic acid (The famous vitamin C stabilizer). Antioxidants protect your skin against damaging free-radical molecules.
You can also find carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, minerals, vitamin A, and Vitamin C in these berries.
Learn more about Euterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHouttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.
The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.
Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.
Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.
Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.
The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.
Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata ExtractThis ingredient is also known as Indian Gooseberry or Amla Berry. It is skin hydrating and antioxidant rich.
Indian gooseberry is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, tannins, and vitamin C compounds.
This extract comes from the blueberry native to North America. It has great antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
The antioxidant properties from blueberries come from its polyphenolic and vitamin C content. Polyphenols are a compound famous for their antioxidant properties and are commonly found in fruits.
A 2023 study found blueberries to protect skin from UV-B related inflammation. However, this ingredient should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit ExtractVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract comes from the cranberry fruit. Vaccinium Macrocarpon is the North American species of cranberries native to eastern Canada.
As an astringent, cranberry extract helps tighten the pores by constricting the cells.
Cranberries contain Vitamin E and Vitamin C, both potent antioxidants. It also contains minerals such as manganese and copper.
Learn more about Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit ExtractWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water